Siena:
Cane e Gatto

This is the best meal I have to date in Italy and perhaps the best meal anywhere. Although I ate here in 2002, I have continued to read stellar reviews about it and wanted to include it in ST's reviews list.

Our group of 8 ate here on our last night in the Siena area and were unprepared for the fabulous feast. First of all, this is a 4 hour meal starting at 8 pm and ending at midnight. Secondly, you should go hungry as this is a 5 or 6 course fixed price meal. If we had known, we would have had a small lunch that day.

Upon arrival at this cozy and romantic restaurant that seats 20, all the women of the party were presented with orchids -- which was a lovely first impression. Owner Paolo then poured us complimentary prosecco as he presented our wine choices and helped us decide what to order. I think we had a Rosso di Montalcino followed by a Brunello. The menu depends on what his wife Sonia feels like cooking that night and included: a variety of mouth watering antipasti (crostini, tomatoes and mozzarella, prosciutti, salami, quiche, etc.) A delicious soup course (can't remember the specifics), an astonishingly good pasta, followed by a risotto!!. We were groaning by this time but everything was so delicious that we just couldn't turn anything away. The main course was a terrific mixed grill of Tuscan meats. We all thought we couldn't face dessert with the complimentaery vin santo but the assorted plate of colorful deserts was just too fabulous to pass up. Not a speck was left on the shared plates.

At the end of the meal Sonia appeared and we gave her a standing ovation! It was just a spectacular meal in every sense; food, wine, ambience and service. I hope I stay close enough to Siena again so that I can re-live this experience because at 4 hours and much wine, you would need to be staying nearby!

Truly a destination restaurant for a special occasion even if the occasion is just being in lovely Siena. Highly recommended-don't miss this experience!

Reviewed by: Karen from PA, review #68

When: 2000

On par with any world class restaurant for service, presentation and food, seating just 24

On par with any world class restaurant for service, presentation and food, seating just 24. There is no menu. After being seated we were served a glass of prosecco; soon the food began to arrive and it didn't stop for nearly 3 hours. The antipasti were a nice selection of melon, proscuitto, caprese, and crostini. The following courses are a soup (squash), risotto, pasta, meat (seared, rare Fiorentina), salad and finally an artfully arranged plate of dessert with sweets and fruit.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.